And while we’re on the topic of Crystal Palace…
Manager Pierre Sage has said that Jean-Philippe Mateta is fully committed to the club despite the striker’s attempts to have his contract annulled.
Mateta took his case disputing the option to extend his contract until the end of this season to an independent Premier League tribunal, who ruled against him, and then to FIFA, who ruled it was not in their jurisdiction to hear the case.
But Sage said it is “clear” that Mateta “prefers the football than his contract” and is “funny, happy to be here and gives his best every session”.
Mateta has been the subject of bids from Galatasaray and Aston Villa, both of which were rejected by Palace, and Sage expects the France international to be at the club when the transfer window has closed.
💬 “I didn’t see a player who has a problem with the club or us, that’s why he played last game as a starter. If we have a problem with him he will not play as a starter. It may be with the man but not the player.
“I think he will stay. He has the behaviour of someone happy to be here and wants to be here.”
